Democracy Returns to Rivers State as Tinubu Lifts Emergency Rule

…As President cites constitutional crisis, vandalism, and failed mediation as reasons for initial intervention; democratic structures now set to be restored

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally announced the end of the state of emergency in Rivers State, following a six-month suspension of the state’s executive and legislative arms.

The declaration, made in a national broadcast on Wednesday, marks the expiration of emergency powers invoked on March 18, 2025, under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In his address, President Tinubu cited a “total paralysis of governance” in Rivers State as the catalyst for the original declaration.

He noted that an intense political standoff between the Governor and a majority of the House of Assembly had rendered the government inoperable.

“Critical economic assets, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised.

The Governor could not present an Appropriation Bill due to the deadlock in the House, leading to a complete constitutional impasse,” Tinubu stated.

According to the President, the legislative crisis saw the 32-member House of Assembly split, with only four lawmakers aligned with the Governor, while 27 supported the Speaker in opposition.

Efforts to mediate the conflict, including interventions by the Presidency and other stakeholders, failed to yield a resolution.

President Tinubu explained that the declaration of emergency became “painfully inevitable” in the face of looming anarchy and governance breakdown.

Consequently, the offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial six-month period.

“Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments, acknowledged the absence of a functional government in Rivers State,” Tinubu said.

He commended the National Assembly for its swift approval of the emergency proclamation and expressed gratitude to traditional rulers and residents of Rivers State for their cooperation throughout the period.

Acknowledging that over 40 legal challenges were filed against the emergency measure, the President described such dissent as part of a healthy democratic process, while maintaining that the decision was constitutionally justified and necessary.

“It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation,” he said.

Looking ahead, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaboration between executive and legislative arms across all levels of government, warning that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of political conflict and instability.

“The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity,” he added.

The conclusion of the state of emergency paves the way for the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State, although some legal proceedings related to the declaration remain pending in various courts.